Salvation Appeals for Thrift Store Donations 228

LACONIA — With demand for assistance to the needy of the area running especially high, the Salvation Army has issued a special appeal for people to donate items for its thrift store.The Salvation Army of Laconia assisted 61 people with emergency assistance, and the organization's ability to give assistance for food, clothes, furniture, prescriptions, as well as to house the homelessrelies heavily on the generosity of the community.Donations of furniture in particularly needed, say Salvation Army officials. Many of the families moving outof the Carey House shelter have no additional funds to furnish their new homes and rely on items fromthe Thrift Store.Furniture can be dropped off at the thrift store at 77 New Salem St., or a free pickup can be scheduled by calling 603-737-9998.In addition to donations, the purchase of items such as clothing at the store goes to fund community programs run by The Salvation Army. The soup kitchen, food pantry, and emergency assistance programs (a program which provided $2,839 in assistance in January alone) rely on this business in order to keep up with the needs of the area.The Thrift Store is also in dire need of individual or group volunteers that are willing to lend a hand and smile so that we can keep up with the flow of donations.